Kong (A James Conrad Love Story)

Setting Off

 An hour later, we packed up and set off up the river. I lounged on the roof, playing aimlessly with a string on my rucksack. Slivko was sitting next to me, still trying to make contact with the other downed helicopters. I had heard "Fox One, do you copy" so many times I was about to take the radio and throw it overboard. Marlow was steering, and everyone else was sitting in various relaxed states. Except for Conrad, who was at the helm of the boat with his eyes scanning the banks of the river. God, did this guy ever rest?

Brooks and San were in the back of the boat. I watched them for lack of anything better to do. They would make an adorable couple, I decided. San was trying to open one of those nasty food cans, and I could see Brooks offering his help. His voice was carried off on the breeze. He cut his hand about half a second later, and I chuckled. San took the can back and said, "Allow me."

Brooks smiled ruefully and said, "You should see me in the library."

I heard a guttural scream from behind me. I snapped up, to see four of my dactyls carrying Nieves off, back to land. I whistled their call, trying desperately to try to bring them back, but it didn't work. They were so frenzied with the thought of human meat that calling to them didn't work. Conrad and Slivko leveled their guns, but he was already too far away. Their guns lowered slowly in defeat. We watched in horror as they ripped his arms off in midair. I closed my eyes and turned away. Those were the rules of the island.

"What the hell, man?" Slivko asked, his voice cracking.

I put my hand on his shoulder. "It's over. Let's keep moving."

Conrad took over. "We'll go ashore, meet up with Packard." It all sounded so reasonable considering that Nieves had literally just been plucked off the boat.

"No, no. wait a minute." Brooks was in full scientist freak out mode. "Is nobody going to say anything about the bird?"

"He's gone. And he ain't coming back. There's nothing to say." Marlow headed back up to the front of the boat and stared out past the wheel. We all went back to our stupors, staring blankly at the water. Only I was up this time, pacing, watching for anything else. Everyone looked mildly concerned for my mental health. To be honest, I wasn't too sure about it myself.

When I reach the front of the boat where Conrad was sitting, he said quietly, "Don't blame yourself." I plopped down next to him, stretching out my legs. I was still squinting up at the sky, just daring them to come back.

"I don't." He clearly didn't believe me. "It's just nature."

He sighed tiredly, and changed the subject, not wanting the fight that we could both tell was brewing. "I didn't sleep a wink last night." I could tell by the dark shadows under his eyes. I guess tree sleeping was a learned behavior.

"Keeping watch over your sheep?"

"Something like that."

I said softly, "You should sleep. We have a long way to go. You should get a nap so you can keep a better eye out." He looked at me, unwilling to sleep while there were "monsters" out there. "Slivko can keep an eye on us. We'll be fine for an hour or two."

He laid back, still trying to resist my suggestion. But I could tell he was already slipping. His eyes closed slowly and I could see his breathing even out. I laid down too, figuring that no animals from land would come into the water for us. at least, I hoped not. There was still the giant octopus, but it it got us, there was pretty much nothing we could do. So it wasn't really worth watching for. It was only the skies we had to watch. I could see some dactyls wheeling around above us, but they made no move to get closer. More like they were waiting for us to make the first mistake.

Suddenly, the radio crackled. "Fox Five, is anyone out there?"